Foul-line indicator



March 30 ,y 19.2.6. N

A. J. KEMPIEN ET AL ,F'OUL LINE INDICATOR Filed Feb* 10, 1922 6Sheets-Sheet l March" 30 1926. 1,5'781'321 A. J. KEMPIEN ET AL FOUL LINEINDICATOR K Filed Feb. `1o. 1922 6 sheets-sheet 43 u 69 m e Z4 'I 3eZ627 59 ze g 6/ 7@ L 95 as @e 54 "Mrcn so, '1926.l .1,578,321

A. J. KEMPIEN ET AL FOUL LINE INDICATOR I Filed Feb. l0. 1922 6Sheets-Sl'neelI 5 March 30 1926. 1,578,321

A. J. KEMPIEN ET Al.

FOUL LINE INDICATOR Filed Feb. l0, 1922 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 /20/1105 C //S@y Mr Y MQ manita' Mai. 30,1926.

orari-:nSTATES,v PATE-Nr orrlca.

UGT/IST 2J.

KEMPIEN, 0F ST. PAUL,\`AND THOMAS C. FORBES, 0F MINNEAPOLIS',

MINNESOTAfSAID FORBES ASSIGNOR TO SAID KEMPIEN.

FOUL-LINE INDIoA'roR.

n f Application filed February 10, 1922. Serial No. 535,548.

To allavlhom tf/nay' concern:`

Be it known that we, AUGUST J. KnMrmN,

of St. Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota, and.

THOMAS C. FORBES, of Minneapolis', Hennepin County, Minnesota, bothcitizens of vthe United States, have invented a new and useful.`Improvement in Foul-Line Indicators, of which the following is aspecification.

Our invention relates to foul line indicators and has fdr its object toprovide a device adapted to become operable to indicate when thefoot-.of ay bowler passes the foul line, which device remainsinoperative upon the passage of a bowling ball thereover.

' Another4 object of the invention is to provide an electricallyoperated sign'alling'device with aswitch positioned in the floor of thebowling alley at the foul line thereof in'- cluding means for causingsaid .signal to remain operative for a period of time after theactuation thereof.l

Another object is to provide a time controlled mechanism for holdingsaid signalling device in operative position for an extended period oftime after INthe action thereof,

`Another object is to provide an actuating mechanism for said signalwhich mechanism becomes operable upon the passage of the foot over saidfoul line switch, which remains inoperable upon thepassage of a bowlingball over the same.

A still further lobject is to' form said actuating mechanism with anelectro-magnet including an armature having a time controlled deviceapplied thereto.

1A still further object is to provide adevice for varying the currentapplied to said electro-magnet so as to jointly aid in regulating thetime of movement of said armature.

Another object of the invention is to pro'- vide a bell and a lightsignal and-to provide means for prolonging the operation of the lightsignal overthe operation of the bell signal.

Another object ist@ provide means for adjusting the magnet bf theactuating mechanism relative to the armature thereof.

= .Another object of thewinvention resides in providing a switch elementpositioned at the foul line in a single unit which may be Ireadilyremoved from the floor and replaced by a small unit. i

Anotherobject resides in formingthe said switch element with a pluralityof sections the` displacement of the .same at kany portion thereofcauses the switch" elements to move the same amount. n Another object.is to provide latching means for said foul line switch whereby thedevice as a unit f'may be securely Held vin place or may be readilydetached as required.

A still furthercobject ofthe invention is to provide a dummy which maybe used in' placeV Vof the switch whenever itis desired to completelyremove the switch from the' floor.

A still further object is to provide a guard which may be placed overthe switch -in the Hoor when it is desired to clean or varnish thebowling alley to protect the 'switch mechanism thereon. i X

Another object of the invention resides in providing a signal devicehaving an actuatingmechanism therefor with two controlling memberspositioned in the floor of the alley the first of which always tends tooperate said signal, the'` second of which is spaced from said firstcontrolling member and is adapted to counter-act the effect of saidfirst controling member to render the vsignal inoperative whensuccessively operated.

The full objects and advantages of our invention will appear inconnection with the detailed description thereof and are par,

.ticularly pointed out in the claims.

Fig. 2 is a front view of the casing con-i,I

taining the actuating mechanism of the invention Fig. 3 V,is afragmentary sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 4 4 of Figure 2.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Figure 2 of a portion of the mechanism showntherein with certain of the parts indicated in altered positions.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional detail view taken on line 6-6 ofFigure 2.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken through the foul line of the alleyfshowing the switch mechanism located therein.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail view of a portion of one end of the fdevice shown in Figure 7.

Fig. 9 is a,view similar to Figure 8 with the parts in alteredpositions.

Fig. 10 is an' end view of the device shown in Figure 9 with thelatching mechanism thereof removed.v

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Figure 10 with vthe parts corresponding inrelation lto one another as vindicated in Figure 9 Fig. 12 is asectional 12,*12 of Figure 8.

Fig. 13 is a sectional view of the foul line switch showing ythe guardmember mounted over the same. l

Fig. 14 is a detail view similar to Figure 8 showingthe adaptation ofdummies to the device.`A

Fig. 15 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing ano-ther form of theinvention.

Our invention diagrammatically indicated in its entiretyin Figure 1 isoperated by a transformer B having a primary coil ,10 connected to .anysuitable source of electrical current such as a 110 volt circuit, bymeans of leads 12 and a secondary coil 11 for the reduction of thevoltage of circuit 12 which supplies the current `for the operation ofthe device. A switch-.member indicated in its entirety at A ispositioned in the floor of.,

the bowling alley at the foul line thereof, which switch member lisconnected in series with the secondary orlow voltage side 11 of thetransformer B, a variableresistance unit C and an electro-magnet D bymeans of a number of leads 14, 15, 16, and 17. Magnet D is provided witharmature E adapted to be actuated thereby which armature operates twoswitch elements F and G. Armature E 1s furtherprovided with anadjustabledevvice forregulating its period of oscillation,

whichwill later be described in detail. A varylng Vthe period ofoscillation of the armature E and by properly adjusting the amount ofcurrent passing through the magnet D by means, of a resistance C thesaidy armature E can 'be made to become responsive when the currentl ispassed through magnet D for a certain length of time and then remaininoperative when the closure of the circuit by means of switch A occursfor a shorter length of time.

Armature E, as before stated, is adapted view taken onfr line,

to close two switch members F and G when the said armature is actuatedby means of the magnet D. The switch element F is connected in serieswith an electric light H by means of leads 18, 19, and 20, the leads 19and 20 being directly connected to the circuit 1-2 of the source ofelectrical supply. When f switch member F is closed by means of armatureEylamp H which may be of standard construction is caused to beilluminated.

The Switch" element G is connected in series with the secondary coil 11of transformer-B and, with an electrical bell I of ordinary constructionby means of leads 21, 22, and 23.'j When" switch G is closed by means ofarmature E the bell I is caused to ring. The operation of thedevice ingeneral can easilv be comprehended,v Upon the passage of the foot overthe foul line, switch A is caused to be closed for a certain length oftime. The resistance C and the device which regulates the periodofoscillation of magnet E are so adjusted that the movement of the footover the switch will give suiicient time for the armature to beattractedA by magnet `D and for the switches F and G to '/be closed.Immediately upon withdrawal of the footfrom switch A the circuit isagain opened and yarmature E allowed to return to` normal position. Theactuation of armature E, however, closes switches F and G whichimmediately actuates the bell I and the lamp H. However, to cause boththe said bell I and lamp H to remain operative for a long enough periodof time to be observed by the bowler I have provided a time controlling!mechanism whereby said signals remain in operation for a period of time,the description of which device will follow.

The principal portion o f the signalling l'mechanism is shown in Figure2 of our invention and is contained within a casing 24 which may be ofwood or any other suitable material. Within this casing are attachedthereto in any desirable location the bell I, transformer B, resistanceC, ele'ctrof sociated with the same. The transformer B,

bell I, lamp H, and resistance C are all of standard construction andneed no further description.

y The armature E is formed in the shape of a plate 25 which is pivotedat its end by means of pins 26 to lugs 27 issuing outwardly from a base28 secured to the upper wall of casing 24. This armature hangs in avertical position and has a depending arm 29 on which is adjustablymounted a counterweight 30. A bracket 31 projecting out- Wardlyfrom saidarm on the lefthand side has adjustably positioned inthe same a slidingrod 32 which is held in place by two n uts 33 and 34 and which hasattached to it tension coil spring 35 secured at its other adjustedrelative to armature E so' that the cores 39 and 40 may be positioned atany C,For regulating` ythe magnet D relative lto spiral cam membeI endto a lug 36 attachedto base 28. By means of said spring 85 armature E isnormally held in the position shown in Figure 2.

Magnet D for operating the "armature E consists of two coils 87 and 38which are wound upon cores 39 and 40 secured together by means of a yoke41. The'yoke 41 hasfa plate 42 which terminates in an angular baseportion 48 positioned -in back of the coils 37 and 38. Base'48is/provided with two longitudinal slots 44 and 45. Two screws 46 passthrough slots 44 and 45 and are screwed into base 28; '.lheseslots serveto hold the base 43 and the magnet D mounted thereon inslidable-pesition upon said base 28 relative to the armature E.' Bymeans of this mounting magnet D may be suitable distance fromtlie saidarmature E whereby the attractive eilect of magnet upon the armature Emay bel variedgas required.

armature E we provide @the following de-` vice. Upongtheplate 42 areprovided two f bearings 48 and -49 in which is journalled a shaft,`50.`Shaft 50 is 'providedat its outer end with a thumb wheel-51 whichcisrigidly secured thereto'. `A spring 52 is secured to base 28 and isadaptedto engage serration's. 58'formed in the periphery of said wheelfor holding the said wheelin any of its adjusted positions; Upon theshaft 50 is mounted two s 54 and 55 best shownin vdotted lines in igure2 and. fullQ'lines in Figure 4. These cams are adapted to engage.

' two posts .5 6 and 57 which are rigidly secured to the base 28 andextend outwardly in front of the saidacams.. A pair of coiln springs 59Iand GOtattached to lugs 27 on base 28 and similar lugs 61; formed onplate 42 serve to force the entire electro-magnet D 'with th j mountingthereon towards the armature J, the movementof the said electrothe cams54 and 55 with the posts 56 and5'7l It can readilybe comprehended thatby adjusting the wheel 51 the movement of the cores 39 and 40 relativetothe armatureE canvbe' varied at will to give the desired attractiveeifect of the /magnet up'on the armature. Y

' The switch `Gr comprises a bracket 62 which is rigidly secured to anirisulatimtg` block 6 4 by means of screws 65 which block is attached tobase 28 by means of screws 66.

Upon the extreme end of bracket 62 is rigidattached a spring-member 67which issues upwardly towards the base 28 gradually receding fromthe'said bracket 62. At the' eX- tremegend of spring 67 the same isformed with a contact 68v which forms a portion of the switcli elementG. A long slender arm 69 is-rigidly attached to the plate-like portion.25 of armature E and extends along the base`28 between the two coils 37and 38 of magnet D and through an opening 7 0 formed inthe core 41andplate 42. This opening permits of oscillatory movement of lthe arm 69about the pins 26 as armature E is attracted by the magnet D. Near theouter end of arm 69 the same is provided' to the switch ,Gr maybeconnected to the Y.

any-other manner de/sired.

Switchl/ which is best hown in Figure 4 is substantially identical vwithswitch 'G and consists offa bracket 72 mounted on an inlscrews and thebalse 28'Krespectively or in sulating block 73`and formed with/a spring75, having" a contact at the end thereof, all identical withthe bracket62, block 64, vand, spring 67 and contact 68, of switch G. A pivoted arm76 pivoted at 77 to an upright 78 mounted on base 28 carrieson itsextreme end .a pin 7 9 corresponding to pin 71 which is adapted to,engage the contact member 80 formed on the end of 'spring 75 and toclose the saidrswitch F when said arm 76 is raised in itsuppermostposition. For operating the arm 76 wek provide a forkedinsulating member 81 whichis rigidly secured to said arm and whichembraces a portion of the arm 69 attached to armature E. After arm 69 israised upwardly said ^arm engages the upper portion of member 81 andcarries with it the arm76 until pin.

79 comes in Contact with the Contact 80.,v4

at 82 inFigure 2. This indentation servesmagnet being halted by theengagement of Mto hold the arm 7 6 and pin 79 engaging con` downwardlythe same engages' the lowermost arm of the member 81 thereby with- 1drawing ypin 79 from engagement with contact 80. In this manner thecircuit switch F is operated.

The timing device for holding switches F and G closed for anextended-period of time consists principally of a iy wheel 83 which ismounted on a shaft 84 journalled in a base 85 secured to casing 24 andin a support 86 attached to the base 85 by means 4of an upright 87. samea pinion 88 which meshes with a gear 89 rotatably mounted on a trunn'ion90 rigidly secured tothe support 86. The trunnion 90 is formed with ahead 91 which holds the gear 89 in place thereon, the said trunnion vShaft 84 has mounted on the 1 being screwed into thecsupport 86 aftergear 89 is placed thereon. \Rigid1y attached to gear 89 isa ratchetwheel 92'which travels together with the same. As can clearly be seen inFigure 2 the extreme end of shaft 90 e-Xten'ds beyond the support 86 onthe other side thereof as-indicated at 93. lUpon the protruding end 93is mounted a swinging arm 94 which has pivoted to it at one end a link95 which in turn is pivoted at its other end to the extreme end of thcarm 69." In

the other end of arm 94'is pivotally attacheda pawl 96 which engages theratchet wheel 92 and serves to` operate the same. The exact shape ofthearm 94 and the manner or attaching the pawl 96 thereto can best be shownin Figure 3. This pawl is normally held in engagement with ratchet wheel92 by means of a wire spring'97 of ordinary construction. The operationof this device is evident. 'As the arm 69 and link 95 attached theretoare simultaneously drawn upwardly by the attraction otl magnet D uponthe armature E arm 94 is rota-ted about the shaft end 93 permitting thepawl 96 to ratchetupon the ratchet wheel 92. When varm 69 reaches itsuppermost position spring tends toA draw armature E backwards and toforce arm 69 and the link 95 downwardly. This motion` is transmittedthrough pawl 96 to the ratchet wheel 92 and the gear 89 which drives thepinion 88 and the fly wheel 83. Due to the momentum of the liy wheel'83the power limparted to it being re-lativelysmall, the said fly wheelregulates speed at which the arm 69 descends thereby causing the same toslowly return to normal position.

In operation the attraction of armature ill by magnet D as before statedsimultaneously closes both switches G and F, attthe same time shitting.thepawl 96 relative to ratchet wheel 92.' Upony the reopening or theswitch member A spring 35 becomes effective to return arm 69 as beforespecified and fly wheel 83 regulates the speed of movement thereof. Assoon as switches G and F are closed the elect-ric light I-I and bell Iare immediately set into action. YThe bell I being connected in circuitwith switch G the same is first cut ott as soon as pin 71 leaves thecontact member G8. The light H, however, continues to burn after thebell has stopped until the arm' 68 strikes the lowermost arm ot themember 81 at which time arm 63 forces pin 'i' 9 away from engagementwith the contact member 80 thereby breaking olig the light circuit. Inthis manner a device is secured in which the bell operates for a shorttime whereas the lic'ht continues to burn a considerable time after thefoul has been coinmittcd. rI`he utility of this is evident in that' theplayer when tiist committing lthe foul lv irs the bell for a short timeand then glances around to see the foul indicating light burning. Toeliminate continual ringing of the bell tlie operation ofthe same isterminated before the light goes `out since `The other end of arm 98extends inwardly inv front ot the face of fly wheel 83 andhas attachedto it a brake shoe 100 which is adapted to engage the periphery of saidfly wheel when the link 95 has reached its lowerinost position therebyengaging said ily wheel and terminating the movement thereof. In this imanner the movement of fly wheel is stopped so as to render the deviceimmediately reset and again operable upon the commission" of anotherfoul by the next player within a very short time after the commission ofthe lirst foul.

rIhe switch A which is pfositioned in the floor or the bowling alley atthe foul line thereof consists of ai unitary structure adapted to bedetachably positionedy Within a narrow slot cut into the floor of thebowling alley across the same indicated at 139. This-switchis mountedupon an angular body member 105 an upstanding flange 107. The switchmechanism consists of two independent switches .I and K, each of whichconsists of a pair of flat spring members 108 and 109 extendinglongitudinally of the device and over-lapping each other as clearlyshown in Figure 7. The springs 108 are directly secured tothe base 106of angle 105 making an electrical contact therewith'while springs 109are also secured to said base but are insulated therefrom/by means ofinsulating blocks 110. Both of these springs are formed with contactpoints 111 so that when the uppermost spring 109 is placed downwardlythe said points come in contact and the' circuit passing through th'esesprings is completed: lFor adjusting the relative position of spring 108to spring 109 we provide arms 112, which are pivoted to the flange 107of angle 105, and 113. The forward end of arm 112 is formed with a ig114 adapted to. engage the upper portion of spring 108so as to regulatethe position of said spring when the said arm is oscillated. At the fother end of arm 112 the same is formed with an arcuate slot 115through. which a screw 116 passes, which screw may be used for clampingsaid arm in place after springs V108 have been properly set. v

For. closing switchesJ and K We provide four operating members 117, 118,119, and 120, which as shown-in Fig. 10, normally project a small amountabove the level of the floor .and are adapted to be depressed by thebowling ball or players foot as the same comes in contact therewith asclearly shown in Figure 11. These members are mounted for movement uponthe angle 105 as follows: Operating members 117-120 are preferablyformed of some insulating material such as bakelite and have'integrallycast at the ends thereof metal inserts 121 and 122. These members arefurther formed with a rabbeted recess 1.23 extending .along the entirelength thereof. A wire member 124 is positioned inthe recess 123 andextending throughout the length of each of the members 117, 118, 119,and 120 and has its ends bent about the ends of said members asindicated at 125 in Figure 10 with the extreme ends 126 thereoflongitudinally ournalled in the inserts 121 and 122 as clearly shown inFigure 8. Along-the longitudinal portion of wire members 124 the sameare journalled adjacent the portions 125 in a pair of verticallypositioned uprights -127which are attached to the body member 105 asfollows: At the point of attachment of said uprights 127 to body member105 the metal ot the iange 107 is sheared from the major portion of thesaid body vportion and pressed outwardly therefrom as indicated at 128form* ing openings between saiddisplaced portion 128 and ange 107 ofangle 105. Uprights 127 are adapted to snugly pass through theseopenings and to be held in place adjacentY the flange 107 by means ofthe portions 128 thereof. Uprights 127 are further formed with a reducedthreaded portion 129, which extends through the base 106 of angle 105 asclearly shown in Figure 10. By means of two nuts 130 and 131 the exactposition of the said uprights 127 may be adjusted and varied asrequired. By this ineens it can readily be comprehended that each of theoperating members 117-120 is mounted for vertical oscillation about thelongitudinal axes relative to the body member 105. For guiding saidmembers 117- 120 in their oscillation relative to the device we providefor each of these members a threaded stem 132 which is secured to eachof said members and `which passes through the lpwer Flange 106 of angle105 and is slidably mounted therein. Positioned between members 1174-120and the base 106 onieach of the stems 132 is a compression coil spring133 best shown in Figures 8 and 10 which serves to hold the saidoperati-ng members in their uppermost posit-ion. ylihis position may beregulated by means of a nut 134 and a loclrnut 135 screwed upon theextreme threaded end ofY said stem 132. A resilient bumper 136positioned between nut 134 and the lowermost ,portion of base 106 servesto remove the jar from the mechanism when the said operating members arereleasedl and also tends to make the operation of the device noiseless.With this construction it can readily be comprehended that the beforementioned operating members may travel in a substantially vertical andparallel direction as the ball or players foot passes over the bowlingalley ioor at the foul line thereof. For operating switches J and Kmembers 117 and 120 are formed at their inner ends and members 118 and119 at their outer ends with downwardly projecting engaging lugs 137 and138 which are adapted to engage upon the upper surfaces of the springs109 so that the depression of any of the said operating members willcause one of the switches J or K to be closed. The exact position of theparts when operating member 117 has been depressed is clearly shown inFigures 9 and 11.

In installing swltch member A into the' ject inst exactly the rightamount above the Hoor when in normal position. For holding the devicefast in place within the slot 139 we provide a pair of hooks 142 and 143which are pivoted-to the flange 107 of angle 105 and which projectthrough the base 106 thereof and are secured to engage the head of screw140. These hooks are forced towards one another to grasp the head ofsaid screws by means of two coil springs 144 and 145 which are mountedon a spindle 146 and are seated between, the outer surfaces of saidhooks 142 and 143 and two nuts 147 and 148 screwed upon `the ends ofsaid spindle 146. With this construction it can readily be seen that thedevice is firmly held in place by means-of hooks 142 and 143 which slipover the head f screw 140 as the .device is pressed downvardly into theslot 139. n

For preventing side movement of the encire structure when in the slot139 .we pro-A vide a number of relatively flat spring members 150 whichas clearly shown in Figures 7 and 12 are secured to the undersidebf thebase 106 of angle 105 and which are adapted to engage the side wall ofslot 139 as shown in Figure 12 to force the fiange 107 of said angleagainst the other wall of said slot thereby -firmly holding the devicein place. In removing the entire spring structure from slot 139 weprovide a wire hook which is not shown in the drawings `ly disengaged.In

" and 152 electrical connection therewith.

but which may be inserted beneath either -of the operating members 117and 120 and structure pulls upwardly. In this manner 4the said hooksengaging the screw nearest the end where the hook Yis applied isreadiorder to disengage the hook members 142/and 143 from the otherscrew we provide two depending lugs 151 at the extreme end of the devicewhich as the structure is raised engage the bottom of slot 139 and serveas a fulcrum whereby the adjacent attaching device ma)7 be disengaged asthe switch unit is lifted from the slot. It can readily be comprehendedthat the entire switch mechanism may be bodily removed from the slot andcould be rapi ly replaced as required.

The man-ner of connecting switches J and K with the other parts of theinvention can be best be comprehended `from Figure 8. A screw 153 issecured to the base 106 and insulated therefrom. A similar screw 154 isalso secured to said base making an Both of these'screwshave their heads.extending below the lowermost vportion of said 2base. Screw y153 isconnected by means of a conductor 155y which passes along the corner ofangle 105 and is connected to each o f the spring members 109. A pair ofspring. held contact members 156 and 157 such as are in common use inelectrical circuits are adapted to engage the heads of screws 153 and154 to make Contact therewith.y These contact members are mounted withina housing 158 and are shown in detail in Figure 8. Each-'of said members155 and 156 are provided with a shoulder 159 and are slidably mountedwithin sleeves. 160 and 161. coil spring 162 ositioned on the saidmembers 156 and 15 is seated between the shoulders 159 and163"`screwable into the en dof said sleeves 160 and 161. Sleeve 161 isinsulated by means of an annular bushing 164"from the casing 158 so thatthe two contact members 156 and 157 are insulated from each other.Afilan'ge 165 is formed-on caslng 158 bymeans ofy which the said contactdevice may be screwed into the floor of the bowling alleywithin slot139. It will ,be noted inl Figure 7 that two contact devices areprovided, one at each end of the switch structure. This is -for thevpurpose ofD permitting two switches in adjacent alleys to be connectedin close proximity to one another and to have the leads thereofrunthrough a conduit positioned in the gutter common-Fito the twoalleys. In order to permit ofleft'hand use the said conductors arepositioned at both endsf'of thesswitch.

. dirt the members The use of the device is evident. As can best be seenin Figures l0 and 11 the upper portion of the operating'members 117120are formed slightly inclined so that the for'u ward end of the same liesflush with the floor 'while the rearward edge is somewhat raised. Abowlers foot or a ball in engaging these operating members graduallydepresses the same until the same have been forced downward suliicientlyto close either of the switches J and K. As previously ldescribed theinstantaneous closing of these switches is not sufficient to operate thesignal while a relatively extended closure of the same causes the signalto be operated and the foul to be indicated.`

In case one of the switches A in the bowling alley becomes inoperativeand another switch unit does 'not happen to be available wep'rovideadummy such as indicated at 168 in Figure 14 which can besubstituted in place of the entire switchunit A. This dummy is made' ofwood and is of the exact height, widthl `and length to completely ll theslot 139 in the floor of the bowling alley. At each end of said dummy isformed an opening 169 in which is attached a short section of angle 170of the exact shape and lsize of angle 105. To this angle is pivotallysecured hooks 142 and 143 identical with the hooks 142 and 143 of theswitch A, which hooks are spring operated and mounted in the samemanner. These hooks are to engage upon the screws 140 and 141 vto holdthe said dumm in place in identically the same manner as t e springitself. It Ycan readily be comprehended that in the event that one ofthe switches becomes broken or rendered inoperable the same may readilybe removed and the.. said dummy placed in the slot to com letelyy lclosethe opening therein. With t is `construction the alley may beVimmediately converted into an alley of the ordinarytype in which asingle straight line across the fioor serves to indicate the `foul lineof the alley.

To prevent the switch structure in the floor of thev alley from beingclogged with 117-120 are spaced from the edge of the edges of the slot139 so that alldirt and dust ente'ring the same while bowling passesdown through and is deposited at the bottom of the slot. To' further aidin keeping the switch clean while the floor is being swept or'varnishedwe provide a cover or guard member 171'adap'ted to fit ldown into theslot 139. Thiscover member is formed with 'two wedges. shaped fianges172 ada ted V.to engage upon the upper surface of tlie floor to hold thesame in Vplace@ Two eyes `174 secured 'to said cover permit of theremoval of the same from the floor. -With this device the fio-or can beswept in the prdinary manner, the dirt being swept over the said covermember. When the ioor is cleaned the said ISH) Y means of the eyes 174mounted thereon.

In Figure 15 we have shown a modified form of the invention. timingeffect desired for rendering the foot effective to operate the signaland the ball ineffective to operate-the same is secured by having twofloor switches spaced a short distance apart in the floor of the alley,which switches controly two sets of' magnets. In the said figure thefirst floor switch is shown at 200 anda second Hoor switch at 201.Switch 200 kis connected by conductors 202 and 203/ with the low tensioncoil 11 of the transformer B and to the resistance C. The same isfurther connected by leads 204 and 205 to an electromagnet 206. Anarmature 207 pivoted to bracket 203 formed on said electro-magnet has anarm 209 extending rearwardly of the same.. 'This' arm is normaliy helddownward by a coil spring 225 and has attached to it an operating link ol. c u h 226 which 1s connected with a timing de vice such as shown inthe other form of the invention and which is indicated in its entiretyat 227. When switch 200 is actuated by either the ball or the foot ofthe operator the electro-magnet 20G is energized and arm 209 swungupwardly by means thereof. At

the end of arm 209 -is provided. an insulating member 210 on which isattached two contact members 211V and 212. These contact members areadapted to engage two spring clips 213 and 214 mounted on a swinging arm215. Arm 215 in turn is pivoted on a lbracket 216 formed on anelectro-magnet 217 which is adapted to attract the arm 215 so yas towithdraw the'switch contacts 213 and 214 away from contacts 211 and 212.The circuit for operating magnet 217 consi-sts of conduct-ors 218 and219 which are connected with transformer B and the second switch 201. Itcan readily be-comprehended that whenthe second switch 201 is closedthat arm 215 is drawn away from engagement with arm 209 so that nocontact is made by means of the switches at the end of the same.Contacts 211 and 213 are connected by means of leads 220 and 221directly with the line 12 and the electric light 8 shown in the otherform 'of the inf vention. In a similar way contacts 212l and 214 areconnected by means of leads 223, 222, and 224 with the electric bell Iandthe transformer B of the other form of the in vention. It canreadily-be comprehended that as the arm 209 is drawn upwardly by theclosing of the first switch 200 that the two last named circuits areclosed and both the light I-I and bell I actuated. As soon as the secondswitch 201 is closed arm 215 is ,attracted by the electro-magnet 217 andthe said circuits broken thereby terminating the action of the signals.

In operation when the foot of the bowler In this device theI 4the saidtimingl mechanism is in operation.

In order to hold the arm 215at its open position while arm 209 isreturning we provide a, finger 228 which is held b v a spring 229 into asubstantially horizontal position terminated by a stop 230. This fingernormally engages a lug 231 on arm 215 so that when the said arm 215 isattracted by magnet 217 the said finger 228 comes in alignment with lug231 and prevents Vthe return ot the said arm. 'A compression'coil spring232 serves to return arm 215 to nfnmal` position when finger 22S hasbeen released. For releasing' the said finger we employ a pin 233 formedon link 220 which as arm 209 descends into its normal position engagesthe said finger 228 and releases the same from en* gagementwith lug 231thereby resetting arm 215 to its normal position.` IViththis'construction arm 209 is always actuated whether the foot of theplayer or the ball passes over thesame.

In accordance with the patent statutes we have described the principlesot operation ot' our-invention together with the apparatus which we nowconsider' to represent the best embodiment thereof, but we desire tohave it understood that the construction shown is only illustrative andthat the invention can be carried out by other means and applied to usesother than those` above set forth within the scope of the followingclaims,

`We claim 1. A foul indicator comprising a signa-l device, means foroperating said signal device including a member positioned in the fioorof the bowling alley, and means for rendering said operating meansinoperative when the floor member is momentarily actuated.

2, A. foul indicator comprising asignal device, means for operatingsaiel signal device including a member positioned in the floor of thebowling alley signal actuating means, and a weighted member controllingsaid signal actuating means adapted to hold said signal deviceinoperative upon momentary actuation of said floor member.

3. A foul indicator comprising an electrical signal device, a normallyopen circuit for operating said signal device, a magnet having anarmature for closing said signal circuit normally holding said signalcircuit open, a normally open circuit for operating Ll l) closing saidmagnet circuit,

signal, a switch at the foul line said magnet, circuit closing meanspositioned in the floor of the bowling alley for closing said magnetcircuit and means for holding said armature from movement u'ponmomentarily, closing said floor circuit closing device.

l. A foul indicatorl comprising an electrical signal device, a. normallyop-encircuit for operating said signal device, a magnet having anarmature Jor closing said signal circuit normally holding said signalcircuit open, a normally open circuit for operating said magnet, circuitclosing means positioned in the loor of the bowling alley for and aweighted member for holding said armature from movement uponvmomentarily closing said floor circuit closing device.

5. A foul indicator comprising an electiical signal device, a normallyopen circuit for operating said signal device, a magnet having anarmature for closing said signal circuitfnormally holding said signalcircuit open, a normally open circuit :tor operating said magnet,circuit closing means positioned inthe floor of the bowling alley forclosing said magnet circuit, an 'arm secured to said carmature and aweight adjustably positioned on said arin for holding said armaturevvfrom movement upon momentarily closing said floor circuit closingdevice.`

6. A yfoul indicator comprising a signal, means positioned at the foulline of the alley for rendering said signal operative upon the passageof a foot of a player over the same, and time controlled means forrender-ing said signal` inoperative upon the passage of a ball over thesame. A

7. A foul indicator comprising an electric signal, a switch at the foulline ofthe alley, an actuating member for actu/ating .said signal, acircuit for operating saidactuating member connected with said switch, asource of current connected with said circuit, and means for varying thecurrent supply to said Aactuating member.

8. A foul indicator comprising' an electric of the alley, an actuatingmember for nal, a circuit for opera-ting said actuating member connectedwithl said switch, a source of current connected with said circuit, anda variablel resistance in said circuit for varying the current tosaidactuating member.

9. A foul indicator comprising a signal, an actuating member,controlling means positioned in the floor of the alley and timecontrolled means for rendering said actuating means operable upon thepassage of the foot over said con-trolling means and inoperative uponthe passage of a bowling ball over said controlling means.

10. .A foul indicator comprising a circuit,

an electro-magnet insaid circuit, a swite'hl positioned in the foul lineof an alley for actuatin said sie'- controlling said circuit, a variableresistance in said circuit, a switch controlled by said electro-magnet,a second circuit connected with said-switch, a signal in said secondcir! cuit, and a weighted member connected with said electro-magnetretarding the movement thereof.

11. A foul indicator comprising a circuit, an electro-magnet insa-idcircuit, a switch positioned in the foul line of an alley forcontrolling said circuit, a variable resistance in said circuit, laswitch controlled by said electro-magnet,- a second circuit connectedwith said switch, a signal in said second circuit, a weighted memberassociated with said electro-magnet, and means for holding said secondswitch closed for an extended period of the time after the operation ofsaid electro-magnet.

12. A foul indicator comprising a. signal,

vfor operating said signal device, amagnet having an armature forclosing said signal circuit normally holding said signal circuit open, anormally open circuit for operating said ma net, circuit closing meanspositioned in the Hg said magnet circuit, means for holdingsaid armaturefrom movement upon momentarily closing said floor circuit closing deviceand means for maintaining said signalcircuit closed forJ an extendedperiod of time-upon the operation of said electro-magnet.

15. .lin combination'with the floor of a bowling alley having atransverse slot, -115 rt, and switch-4%'.-

support, -means located withinbsaid slot for detachably holding saidsuppi members mounted upon said-"support 16. In combination .withthe/floor rot' a bowling a-lleyhaving a transverse slot, an anglesupport, switch members mounted upon said angle support, operatingmembers for said switch secured to said support and extending upwardlythrough said slot.

17. In combination withfthe floor of a bowling alley having a transverseslot, and a pair of lugs secured therein, a support adapted to rest uponsaid lugs, switch members secured to said support and latch membersadapted to engage said lugs for detachably holding said structure withinthe slot.

passage :of the playersl oor of the bowling alley forclosing 18. Abowling4 alley floor switch comprising a switch element, a pair ofindependently movable members adapted to independently operate saidswitch element.

19. A bowling alley ioor switch comprising a plurality of independentlymovable members placed adjacent one another and switches adapted to beoperated by either or any two of said adjacent members.

20. A bowling alley floor switch comprising a transverse member, meansfor supporting said member for parallel vertical movement and switchelements adapted to be xoperatedby said member.

21. A bowling alley floor switch compris ing a support an operatingmember havingr a portion thereof pivoted to said support` means -forslidably connecting said member to said' support and switch elementsoperated thereby.

22. A bowling alley ioor switch comprising a support, operating memberslongitudinally positioned relative to said support, pivotsextendinglongitudinally of said support for pivoting said operatin members. and aslidable member connected with said support for guiding the movement ofsaid operating member, and switch elements operated by said operatingmember.

23. A foul indicating mechanism comprising 'two signals, means formomentarily actuatingone of said signals upon the commission of a foul,and means for prolonging the operation of the other of said signals uponthe commission of a foul.

I 24. A foul indicating mechanism comprislng, two signals, means forsimultaneouslyactuating both of said signals upon the commission of afoul, means for rendering one of said signals inoperative upon momentaryoperation of the same, and means for ren V dering the other of saidsignals inoperative upon the lapse of a short period of time after therendering of said first signal inoperative.

25. A foul indicating mechanism comprising two signals, electricalcircuits for operating said signals, a pair of. switches for causingsaid signals to operate the same, means for sin'iultaneously closingboth of said switches, means for opening one of said switches uponmomentary operation of the signal, and means for subsequently openingthe other of said switches` 26. A foul indicating mechanism comprisingtwo signals, electrical circuits for oper.

ating vsaid signals, a pair of switches for causing said signals tooperate the same, means for simultaneously closing both ot' saidswitches, and time controlledfmeans for successively opening one of saidswitches after the other.

27. A foul indicator comprising a signalling device, means positioned inthe'fioor ot the bowling alley for operating said signalling device uponthe passage of the foot of the bowler or bowling ball upon the same.and-means positioned in the Hoor of said alley and` spaced from saidfirst means for 'rendering said signal inoperative upon the passage of abowling ball over the same.

28. A foul indicator comprising a signal, electrical circuits foroperating said signal,

a switch in the bowling alley for closing said circuit to render thesignal operative, a seci ond switch spaced from said first switch ami`positioned forwardly of said first switch and Ymeans controlled therebyfor rendering Said signal inoperative.

In testimony whereof we afiix our signatures.

AUGUST J.' KEMPIEN. THOMAS-C. FORBES.

